reservation
B1Neutral; common in both formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
An arrangement made in advance to secure the use of something (like a seat, room, or table) or to express a doubt or qualification about something.
An area of land set aside for a particular purpose or group (e.g., a wildlife reservation or an indigenous American reservation).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges concrete (booking) and abstract (doubt) domains, and can refer to a territorial enclave in specific legal/historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English may prefer 'booking' more frequently for travel/accommodation contexts, while 'reservation' is fully standard. American English uses 'reservation' predominantly for both bookings and indigenous land areas.
Connotations
In the UK, 'reservation' can sound slightly more formal for a simple booking. In the US, 'Indian reservation' is a specific, historically loaded term.
Frequency
'Reservation' is more frequent in American English across all meanings; 'booking' is a strong competitor in UK English for the 'advance arrangement' sense.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + reservation(s) + about + NPmake + a reservation + for + NPNP + be + on + reservationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “without reservation (completely, wholeheartedly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Securing meeting rooms or corporate travel: 'We need to confirm the reservation for the conference venue.'
Academic
Expressing methodological or ethical doubts: 'The reviewer voiced several reservations about the study's design.'
Everyday
Booking a restaurant table: 'I'll call and get a reservation for seven o'clock.'
Technical
In networking/computing: 'port reservation'; in law/land management: 'tribal reservation boundaries'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We should reserve a table for Friday night.
- I'd like to reserve the right to amend the proposal.
American English
- You need to reserve your tickets online.
- The company reserves the right to refuse service.
adverb
British English
- She spoke reservedly about the plans.
- He nodded reservedly.
American English
- The comment was made reservedly.
- They agreed, but somewhat reservedly.
adjective
British English
- The reserved seats are at the front.
- She has a reserved manner.
American English
- Please proceed to the reserved parking area.
- He's quite reserved in meetings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a reservation at the restaurant for 8 PM.
- Do you want to make a reservation for the hotel?
- We made a reservation for three nights at the beach hotel.
- She expressed some reservations about the new plan.
- Despite his initial reservations, he agreed to join the project.
- The system allows you to modify or cancel your reservation online.
- The treaty was ratified, albeit with certain reservations noted by several signatories.
- His philosophical reservations about the technology's implications were profound.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE-SERVE-ATION: Think of 're-serving' a table or seat you've already claimed in advance.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLAIMING SPACE (both physical and mental). A reservation is a held space (in a restaurant, in your mind as doubt).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'резервация' for a booking—use 'бронирование'. 'Резервация' is only for the land meaning. For doubts, use 'сомнение' or 'оговорка'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reservation' uncountably (*'I have reservation about it' → 'I have *a reservation/reservations'). Confusing 'make a reservation' with 'do a reservation'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'reservation' refers to a land area?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often interchangeable for securing services. 'Booking' is more common in UK English and can sound less formal. 'Reservation' is preferred in US English and for restaurant tables. 'Reservation' also has the unique meanings of 'doubt' and 'designated land area'.
It is countable when referring to an advance arrangement ('I have a reservation') or a doubt ('I have one reservation'). It can be uncountable in the phrase 'without reservation' (meaning completely). The land area sense is countable ('several reservations').
Use the plural 'reservations' when expressing doubts or concerns. Example: 'I have serious reservations about the project's timeline.' It implies multiple or general unease, whereas 'a reservation' might point to one specific qualm.
For the 'doubt' sense, use 'about' or 'regarding' ('reservations about his idea'). For the 'booking' sense, use 'for' ('a reservation for two people') or 'at' ('a reservation at the Ritz'). For land, use 'on' ('live on a reservation').
Collections
Part of a collection
Travel Vocabulary
A2 · 50 words · Words for getting around, booking trips and visiting new places.
Formal Debate Language
C2 · 48 words · Language for structured academic and political debate.
Explore